Safety razor



l H. swAN SAFETY RAZOR June 30, 1936.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 1'7, 1930 VEN-[Og ATTORNEY IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH H. SWAN SAFETY RAZOR June 30, 1936.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 17, 1930 TOK ATTORN EY IVEN Patented June 30, 1936 PATENT AQFFICE SAFETY RAZOR Harry Swan, New York, N. Y., assigner to Patents Incorporated, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application October 1'1,`

10 Claims.

My invention relates to safetyrazors and more particularly to safety razors of the double edge type.

The nature, objects,l and advantages of my invention will become apparent from consideration of the following' specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification and on which:

Fig. 1 is a top View of a razor constituting a rst embodiment lof the invention;

Fig. 2 is an Aend view of the same razor;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is in part a longitudinal sectional view and in part a side elevational view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a bottom View of the razor;

Fig. 6 is a bottom View of blade and cap of the razor;

Fig. 7 is a View of the blade;

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of partof the-guard of the razor and the blade;

Fig. 9 is 'an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 8; and

Figs. 10 to 18 are corresponding views of. a second embodiment of the invention.

My razor shown in Figs. 1-9 includes a blade I0, a cap I2, and a guard I4. clamped between the cap and the guard by means of a Istud I5 projecting inwardly from the cap and a handle I6 having an internally threaded bore adapted to screw onto the stud I5 to draw the cap and guard together. The razor is generally symmetrical about its longitudinal center line and also about its transverse center line. These center lines are indicated at A-A and B-B, respectively, in Fig. 5.

The guard member comprises a bearing part I8 which contacts the blade in operative position along longitudinal fulcrum edges I9 which are shorter than the total length of guard and shorter than the total length of the blade. At the ends of the fulcrum edges I9 are guard lips or corner projections 20, one at each corner. The guard lips project outwardlyas shown in Fig. 2 in such manner that the blade in clamped position would rest on the guard lips were it not for cut-away corners in the blade, which will presently be explained.

'Ihe'bearlng part of the guard has a central aperture 2I through which the stud I5 passes and projections 22 adjacent aperture 2I for determining the position of the bearing part of the guard with respect to a wheel carrier part 25 of the guard. The'bearing part is recessed centrally The blade is 1930, Serial No. 489,264

(Cl. Bil-72) at the ends with rectangular recesses 26 which receive cap projections 2'I. Just inside the, recesses 26 are projections 29 having reduced portions 30 tting snugly into apertures 3| in the wheel carrier.

projections 29 bear againsty the wheel carrier and the reduced portions 30 prevent relative transverse or longitudinal movement of the partsvofI the guard member. It will be clear that the guard The undercut portions of the parts I8 and 25 may be secured together to form 10 pulls them together. There is only one relation I of positions between the bearing part I8 and the wheel carrier 25, the two partsacting as one member, although there may be a variety of positions between the cap, the blade and the guard. At the edges of the Wheel carrier are 4rows of guard wheels 34. Each guard wheel is mounted on a spindle and the spindles are journalled in struts 35. lThe struts may be formed by punching a series of holes in the carrier plate, slitting the outside edges of the holes and twisting the resulting projections obliquely with respect to the longitudinal center line andthe plane of the carrier and then bending them somewhat sideways! The arrangement is such that the wheels are oblique both to a plane normal to the carrier longitudinally and to a plane normal t'o the carrier transversely. The obliqueness is in'opposite relation on the two sides. Each strut, except the end struts, carries a spindle of one guard wheel at an inward point on one side of the plane ofl the carrier plate and a spindle of an`adjacent guard wheel at an outward point on the other side of the plane of the carrier. 'Ihe purpose of this arrangement is to provide proper positioning of the blade relative to theA guard wheels when the parts are in clamped position and to provide a smooth moving razor on the surface to be treated. With the ordinary razor the hand provides the moving force and also regulates the direction of movement of the razor. With my razor, the hand merely supplies the force and the wheels determine the direction of movement. A diagonal stroke is obtained, the direction being opposite for the two sides.

The cap ID is transversely curved and has side edges 4farther from the longitudinal centerline of the than the fu1crum edges le of the guard.. when 55.

` of the previously described gures.

the cap is screwed down on the blade, the blade, being of thin ilexible steel is curved transversely,

l the blade being bent between the side edges of the cap and the fulcrum 4edges of the guard. The cap is provided with end projections 21 which extend into the recesses 26 of the guard.

The blade I 0 isl shown in Fig. 7. The blade is fixed in position along its center line. It has a central hole 31 through which stud I5 passes. Holes 38 may be provided or not, as desired. Slots 39 are cut into the ends of the blade. These slots are of rectangular shape to correspond to the rectangular shape of projections 21 which fit into these slots. It will be seen that the blade is symmetrically reduced on the center line and that the' ends of the center linelportion are at right angles to the center line, which helps to prevent distortion or warping of the blade Whenthe blade is bent in the holder.

The blade is shorter at the lateral edges than the more inward portions. The overall length is p indicated at O in Fig. '1. The length of the lateral portions is indicated at L in Fig. 7. 'I'he width of the lateral portions is indicated at W in Fig. '1. It will be seen that the shorter lengths L and the widths W provide what may be termed cut-away corners at the four corners of the blade. Each corner has one side at right angles to the longitudinal center line of the blade and a side parallel to the longitudinal center line of the blade. The lateral portions consequently have ends at right angles to the longitudinal center line. This is important in preventing warping of the blade on being curved transversely. As can be seen in Fig. 8 the lateral portion extends outwardly from I the fulcrum edge I9. That is, the 'ends are at right angles to the longitudinal center line from the outer edges inwardly to or-substantially to the fulcrum edges. VConsequently theline of contact between the blade and the fulcrum edgeis of the same length and parallel to the line of contact of the cap and the blade. bending and prevents the warping stresses which occur in a blade having curved ends.

The cut-away corners are in juxtaposition to the guard lips 20. 'I'he guard lips extend into the cut-away corners so as to be in alignment with the lateral portions of the blade and guard the ends of the cutting edges. The arrangement is such that lif the corners were not cut away the blade would contact the guard lips on urging'the parts of the razor together and the guard lips would cause distortion of the blade. The guard lips eifectively screen the corners of the blade Without obstructing its use 'during shaving.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 11 through 18,

inclusive, differs somewhat from the embodiment In the second embodiment the cap is of greater extent at the outside edges with respect to the extent of the cutting portion o'f the blade, so that the corners of the cap are in juxtaposition to the cut-away corners of the blade in addition to the juxtaposition of the guard lips 20 with the cut-away corners of the blade. Furthermore, the guard lips extend upwardly beyond the blade in clamped position. That is, the guard lips 20 project farther into the cut-away corners of the blade than in the first embodiment. Thus, the corners of the blade are protected to a greater extent in this embodiment than in thema embodiment.

'I'he blade of the second embodiment has a longitudinal slot 40 instead of the three holes 31, 38 of the first embodiment. 'I'he slot extends substantially the length of the razor, leavingrela- This provides uniform 'Ihe blade being xed in ing along thevcenter of the blade may be of any shape. may be curved off to prevent cutting the fingers in handling the blade.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific structure disclosed.

What I claim is:

1. A safety razor of the double edge type comprising a guard, a cap, a flexible blade and means for clamping the blade between the cap and the guard in curved position, the guard, the cap and the clamping means constituting a holder for the blade, said blade being symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal center line and having cut-away corners providing lateral blade portions having ends at right angles to said center line and more centrally disposed portions extending longitudinally beyond the lateral portions, guard lips on the guard projecting into the cut-away corners when the parts are'clamped together and -means other than the guard lips and the cut-away corners for fixing-the relative position of the guard, the cap and the blade.

2. A safety razor of the double edge type comprising a guard, a cap, a flexible blade and means for clamping the blade between the cap and the guard in curved position, the guard, the cap and the clamping means constituting a holder for the blade, `saidblade being symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal center line and havingcut-away corners providing lateral blade `portions having ends at right angles to said center line and more centrally disposed portions extending longitudinally beyond the lateral portions, said guard having fulcrum edges a given distance from the longitudinal center line, said cap having side edges further from the longitudinal center line than the fulcrum edges, the blade being bent by the cap on the fulcrum edges as pivots, the ends of the lateral blade portions extending substantially between, the side edges of the cap and the fulcrum edges and projections on 'one of theholder members in juxtaposition to the cut-away corners.

3. A safety razor of the double edge type comprising a guard, a cap, a flexible blade and means for clamping the blade between the cap and the guard in curved position, the guard, the cap and the clamping means constituting a holder for the blade, said blade being symmetricalwith respect to a longitudinal center line and having cutaway corners providing lateral blade portions having ends at right angles to said center line and more centrally disposed portions extending longitudinally beyond the lateral portions, said guard The non-cutting end portions of the blade having fulcrum edges a given distance from the longitudinal center line, said cap having side edges further from the longitudinal center line than the fulcrum edges, the blade being-bent by the cap on y the fulcrum edges as pivots and the ends of the lateral blade portions extending substantially between the side edges o1' the cap and the fulcrum edges.

4. A safety razor comprising a flexible and elastic blade of oblong contour and internally apertured to receive positioning and clamping means, a guard member adapted to support the blade adjacent to the side edges of the latter, a. transversely-concaved blade-clamping cap provided with parallel side edges, means for positioning the blade between the cap and the guard member, and means for clamping said parts together and simultaneously causing the side edges member, whereby a bent cap corner isprevented 1 from exerting pressure on the bladev while being? recesseslocated at its corner portions respectivei, l

of the cap to ilex the blade transversely on the guard member as a fulcrum, the blade being provided with unsharpened ends and with reentrant recesses located at its corner portions respectively and each extending both longitudinally and transversely of the blade and cap to such an extent as to span the corresponding cap corner and provide a clearance space of suflicient area to receive said cap corner if bent toward the guard member, whereby a bent cap corner is prevented from exerting pressure on the blade while being flexed or when clamped and thereby breaking the blade or distorting its cutting edge.

5. A safety razor comprising a exible and elastic blade of oblong contour and internally apertured vto receive positioning and clamping means, a guard member adapted to support the blade adjacent to the side edges of the latter, a transversely-concaved blade-clamping'cap provided vrith paallel side edges. eachv `of theaforesaid parts being symmetrical 'about a' longitudi nal center line, the side-edges 'of the, cap being further apart than the side -edgesof the guard member, means forl positioning thevblade btvveen the cap and the guard member`.rand Fmeans' for clamping said parts together andsimultaneously causing the side edges of the cap tof'fiex the-blade..

transversely on the side'edges of the vguard `rmember as fulcrums, the blade beingprovidedwith unsharpened ends and with reentraritrcesses located at its comer portions respectivelyfand each extending both longitudinallyaridA transversely of the. blade and cap 'to such 'an extent as to span the corresponding cap corner and provide a clearance space of suillcient-areato receive said cap corner ii' bent toward 'the 'guard ilexed or when clamped and thereby breaking the blade or distorting its cutting edge.

6. In a safety razor oi' thel Gillettetype having a holder including a guard, a cap and clamp-y ing means, said holder having' blade positioning structure separate from the corners and being constructed to diminish blade exposure on tightening of the clamping means and said guard vhaving fulcrum edges, an elastic transverselyflexible razor blade o! substantially uniformthickness and so thin as to require external support on both sides vthereof for substantially the full length of-'its :cutting edgel to give rigidity thereto, l'and being alsoprovided with reentrant 1y and eacnrextenamgiboth longitualnmlytand transversely of'the blade to'such `an extent as `to' provides.' clearance space forspanning theadjar cent cap corner when the bladeand cap lare as,-

" sembled, said cornrireentrant recesses providing lateral` blade-portions, each being atleast substantially -as long'fat its cutting edgeas at vits basean'd being vsuiliciently wide to extend between the guardjfulcrum and cap side edgesv of the razor.

7. m a lsafety mier of thev omette type, a guard, a cap,` a thin ilexible blade and means for;

clamping the blade between the cap and guard in curvedposition, the guard, cap and the clamping means constitutinga holder for the blade,

said biade'being symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal center line and having' cut-away cornersproviding lateral portions and more centrally disposed portions extending longitudinally beyond the lateral portions, one o! said holder holder,

members having projections spanned by the cutaway blade corners with clearance, each lateral portion having a cutting edge at least as long as the length of the inward part thereof, said holder having means separate from said projections for positioning the blade in the holder and the holder being so constructed that tightening oi' the clamping means causes diminution of blade expOSuIe.

8. kIn a safety razor oi' the double edge type, a guard, a cap, a thin flexible blade and means for clamping the blade between the cap and the guard in curved position, the guard, lthe cap and the clamping means constituting a holder for the blade, said guard having fulcrum edges a given distance from the longitudinal center line of the razor, said cap having edges further from the longitudinal center line than the fulcrum edges, said blade being formed to have lateral portions,

each lateralv portion having a base substantially at a `fulcrum, edge of the guard and extending outwardly to a cutting edge beyond the edge of vthe cap,"the cutting edges being at least as long as said bases,` and the blade having portions inwardlyof the bases of greater length than the fr lengthfof'v the bases, the parts being so confvstructe'rd that'on tightening -the clamping means, fthe bladey exposure is diminished. '-9. In asafety razor oi.' the double edge type, a ,l guard, a. cap.'a thin -ilexible bladeand means for Q clamping the blade lbetween the cap and the A'guard in curved position, thel guard, the cap and thecl'amping means constituting a holderior` the }blade,;said guard having fulcrum edges at a given distance from'the longitudinal center line ofthe razor, said' cap having 'edges further from the longitudinal center line than the fulcrum edges,

1' said .blade being v-iormed to `have lateral portions,4 each lateral portion having "a base substantially ata fulcrum` edge of theguard and extending outwardly toa cutting edgeV beyond the edge'of "the cap, the cutting edges beingjat leastas long asv said bases, and the blade'having a portion inwardly of the bases oi' greater length than the length oi' the bases, the parts being so constructed that on tightening the clamping means, the

blade exposure is diminished, said holder having projections extending across the ends o! said lateral portions and having means other than said proitions for positioning the blade' `in the llo; In @safety razorof the Gillette type nav;

-reentrant recesses-located atitscrner 'portions nally and transversely of thefbladegto such an extent as to' lprovidev a'. f clearance s'pace. for spanning the adjacent cap'corner when the blade and cap lare' assembled, said blade having cutting edges at least as long as the distance between .the inner corners of the reentrant recesses.

ssf

maar swim.' l 

